Briefly: Aussie iTunes, Absynth 2 library, icon site
updated 08:10 am EDT, Thu August 19, 2004
Hints of Aussie iTunes?
In Brief: Australian wireless ISP has for its "Freedom of Choice" campaign as its own site is not Mac-compatible.
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Comments
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08/19, 09:01am |
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Mac Zombies
I love being a zombie! Bwooohaaaaaaa.
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08/19, 09:54am |
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Letter to The Editor
I sent the following letter to Nick Farell, the author of the Mac Zombie article:
Mr. Farrel,
I wonder how much investigating you did before writing your story. Do you know that the petition is/was part of a larger campaign by Real Networks called, "Freedom of Choice?" Do you know the types of articles on that web page that denounce and trash Apple Computer, Inc.? Is your story based solely on second hand reports, or did you actually read the draft of the petition? More importantly, did you read any of the comments left on the petition?
I am a Mac user and I have an iPod (two iPods actually). I personally would like to see Apple open ups its DRM scheme. Speaking as an iPod user, I think it would only benefit Apple and the iPod to be able to purchase music from a variety of on-line stores.
Despite this, I signed the original Real petition and left comments that were critical of Real Networks. Why?
First, I have to admit that I am concerned about the consequences of the reverse engineering of products. I do believe that if anyone, be they a company or an individual, works hard to develop a product, then they have the right to control and manage the technology of that product. I do not think you, Mr. Farrel, would appreciate someone taking your articles and passing them off as their own, nor would you appreciate someone using your research and efforts in a greater work without given you credit. I personally believe that reverse engineering of products is a similar violation. Apple spent millions of dollars research and developing the iPod including its DRM scheme. Apple has chosen not share the core of that work. Real Networks comes along and reverse engineers that work. Real Networks is using the fruits of Apple's labors for its own self-promotion and profit.
I will be the first to concede that many do not share my beliefs about the reverse engineering of products. I myself see the points in those counter arguments. However, there is a deeper and more fundamental reason I oppose Real Networks', "Freedom of Choice," campaign—hypocrisy.
The blatant hypocrisy of Real Networks and its, "Freedom of Choice,' campaign is what prompted me to criticize Real Networks.
The simple fact of the matter is that freedom of choice is not a core philosophy that Real Networks supports. They are merely waving it is a banner in its war with Apple Computer for selfish self-promotion and profit. And these are not just my feelings or opinions or Apple Zombie rantings. The facts support this position.
The vast majority of the content available on Real Networks' various web sites do not work on non-Windows platforms. Nearly all of the downloadable games and many of the on-line games available to Windows users are not made available to Mac or Linux or OS/2 users. RealNetworks boasts about the ability to download and watch DVD quality movies
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08/19, 10:55am |
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Not just 'Mac Zombies...
...but plenty of Wintel-based iPod owners took the opportunity to slam Real on this one. I gather that plenty of PC users have feelings for Real that aren't warm and fuzzy.
My own opinion is that 'opening' the iPod (though it's debatable how 'closed' it really is) is worthy of discussion, but this sort of strongarm method just can't fly. Just imagine the furor if Apple released an iPod update that 'broke' Harmony--this could even be unintentional and/or unavoidable. Is Apple expected, in essence, to serve as Real's tech support?
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08/19, 11:35am |
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Must eat brains...
I wonder if all these walking dead were the "dead iBook owners" I read about on As the Apple Turns...
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08/19, 09:27pm |
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REAL PARTY URL!!!
http://imet.csus.edu/imet6/bundy/realcheesy/realcheesy.html
Login Here
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Joined: Jun 2003
$5 FOR A FEW FLAG ICONS!?
OMFG...what a joke.